Zodiak CEO David Frank Steps Down

David Frank, CEO of Paris-based Zodiak Media, is stepping down from the post in the middle of October; Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, a partner at media investment and advisory firm Rubis Media Partners, has been named as the company’s new CEO.

David Frank, CEO of Paris-based Zodiak Media, is stepping down from the post in the middle of October, according to a report by ReelScreen. Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, a partner at media investment and advisory firm Rubis Media Partners, has been named as the company’s new CEO.

Prior to his time with Rubis Media Partners, D’Halluin was CEO and president of pan-Arabic broadcasters Showtime and, following that, Orbit Showtime Network. Prior to Showtime he was CEO of pay TV Scandinavian Platform Canal+ Nordic, and he began his TV career with Sony Pictures in London in 1995 before moving to Fox Kids Europe as group MD of channels.

Frank was appointed head of Zodiak Media in 2010 following the purchase of his production company, RDF Media, by Zodiak Entertainment. He founded RDF in 1993, which made a name for itself in the UK via factual programming initially, and then with drama, entertainment and kids programming. RDF subsequently branched into the U.S., and its offices there were rebranded as Zodiak USA shortly after the sale of RDF to Zodiak.

According to reports, Frank informed majority owner De Agostini several months ago of his intent to leave Zodiak at the end of 2013, and has been working with the company to find a successor and plan an orderly transition since that time.

Zodiak Media has under its umbrella 45 production companies operating in 17 countries, in addition to its international rights business, Zodiak Rights, and its digital arm, Zodiak Active. The company says it pulls in approximately US$800 million in annual revenues.

Jennifer Wolfe is Director of News & Content at Animation World Network.